Imagine Afrika

Update Report

Crisis Response

From Crisis to Resilience

This section highlights the dual approach of the Imagine Afrika – Crisis Response and Agroforestry Resilience Project in addressing the El Niño-induced weather crisis in Southern Malawi.

Severe droughts and erratic floods devastated crops, leaving farming communities in urgent need. With a $20,000 ARC grant, the project supported 200 households in Thondwe and Jali.

El Niño-Induced Weather Crisis

Southern Malawi, particularly Chisi Island and surrounding areas in Zomba district, has been severely impacted by extreme weather conditions linked to El Niño. Prolonged droughts followed by erratic floods devastated crops, leaving farming communities in urgent need of support. In response to this crisis, our team—specializing in agroforestry and food forests—pivoted to provide immediate aid while reinforcing long-term resilience through sustainable practices.

Rapid Response with ARC Funding

With a $20,000 grant from Agroforestry Regeneration Communities (ARC), we implemented a targeted intervention to assist 200 farming households in Thondwe and Jali, the hardest-hit hotspots. Our dual approach combined emergency relief with investments in climate-smart agriculture to ensure lasting recovery.

Key Interventions Delivered

Immediate Food Security: Distributed 50 kg bags of maize to each household to address acute hunger.
Climate-Resilient Crops: Provided cassava cuttings (3 bundles/farmer) and sweet potato vines (3 bundles/farmer)—drought-tolerant staples for future harvests.
Agroforestry Foundations: Supplied fruit tree bundles (3/household) to initiate food forests, promoting biodiversity and soil health.
Local Sourcing: Procured vines and cuttings from farmers within the project area, circulating income back into the community.

Impact and Community-Led Growth

Scaled Success in Chisi Island:

Rapid establishment of food forests and propagation of distributed crops.
Surge in community interest, with new farmers adopting techniques voluntarily.

Economic Empowerment:

Farmers who supplied planting materials earned additional income, fostering local entrepreneurship.
Partnered with Permaculture Paradise Institute for technical oversight, ensuring best practices.

Resilience Building:

Diversification into fruit trees and drought-resistant crops reduced vulnerability to climate shocks.
Communities reported increased hope and self-reliance, thanking ARC for the "timely support."

Challenges and Adaptations

While the project avoided major logistical hurdles, the overwhelming demand highlighted the need for expanded funding to include water management strategies (e.g., rainwater harvesting) in future phases.

Looking Ahead

This initiative underscores how agroforestry principles can anchor both crisis response and sustainable development. By prioritizing locally led solutions, we’ve seen:

Scalability: Neighboring areas now seek similar programs.
Sustainability: Propagatable crops and trees ensure benefits endure beyond the project timeline.

A Model for Integrated Aid

What began as emergency aid has blossomed into a blueprint for blending immediate relief with agroecological transformation. As climate extremes intensify, our work in Malawi proves that resilience grows from the ground up—rooted in community partnership and nature-based innovation.